Entertainment

MapQuest's Latest API Utilizes Actionscript 3

MapQuest has announced the beta launch if its latest API option, MapQuest Advantage, offering many of the same tools and benefits of ActionScript 3.0.

MapQuest Advantage uses ActionScript 3.0, which has been noted to be better than Yahoo's offering, which utilizes wrapped Action Script 2.0. Developers can build rich applications with Adobe Flex or Flash using true, native MapQuest for ActionScript without runtime abstraction layers that could slow down performance. The availability inside the Flex builder makes it easier to access and build applications as well, granting benefits for both developers and users. More improved interactivity features consist of Flash animations and graphics to display Points of Interest, routes and physical boundaries.

The new effects are pretty cool, and the integration of Flash will be attractive to some developers. These could be particularly attractive to social networking developers that extend interactive maps to their users. Some networks that have a high integration of maps include GeoCommons, FatDoor, and Everyscape. Mapquest still faces competition from Google, especially with Google's announcement of street view maps earlier today.

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